Media Releases
Wednesday, 29th October 2003
Labor will establish specialised Medicare teams to restore accessible, high standard health care in areas where bulkbilling is in freefall and hospital emergency departments are at breaking point.
Anthony Albanese MP, Federal Member for Grayndler said up to 100 medical teams consisting of two doctors and a nurse would be available to work in towns and regions where bulkbilling doctors no longer practiced.
“We’re aiming to take the pressure off overworked hospital staff by co-locating our Medicare teams in local hospitals. These teams will operate in the health hotspots that Labor has identified, providing each centre with up to four health teams providing an additional 56,000 additional consultations per year at no cost to patients.
“As well as offering general medical care the teams will run public health programs and services to manage chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma.”
Mr Albanese said the impact of the Howard Government’s neglect of Medicare was being felt in hospitals throughout Australia – particularly in rural areas.
“In rural areas, where there are no bulkbilling doctors, emergency attendances are 60 per cent higher than in towns where bulk billing doctors operate. In Victoria, 25,000 patients each year seek hospital treatment for conditions that could have been treated by a general practitioner. In NSW it’s 19 per cent.”
“In Grayndler, bulkbilling has fallen by over 4% since John Howard won government. It’s harder and harder to find a bulkbilling doctor and out of pocket medical expenses are skyrocketing.”
Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
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Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese, ALP, Canberra.